Just as A.A. Milne delighted his son Christopher Robin with the tales of Winnie the Pooh, the Harwich Junior Theatre, under Lisa Canto’s direction, has captured the wonder of a bear who loves life as much as he loves his honey and his friends. Children will giggle and laugh aloud at this production as they embrace once again the story of Pooh. This is the perfect first show for a child, only 90 minutes long with a script full of material to which they can relate.

It was so great to see our old friend the HJT Jester; it’s been a long winter. Canto knows the Jester very well. She grew up with him in this theater, and she employs the Jester as the narrator of this tale. Jester (a vivacious Lily McMurrer) and Christopher Robin (Ian Kerig Hamilton) sit down, watch the show with us, and try their hardest not to interfere in the action. Believe me, it’s difficult watching Pooh and his inability to save Piglet from the horror, the trauma he’s about to endure.

Yes, that’s right, Kanga (a very animated Kajsa Brimdyr) wants to give Piglet a bath! The story revolves around the menacing Kanga and her attempts to keep Piglet clean and under her thumb.

James Albright is a marvelous Pooh; he captures the timbre and inflection that Sterling Holloway (who voiced Pooh in the Disney shows) did, the same furry voice that seems to convey both the bear’s outer softness and his mental fuzziness. Piglet (Nick Stewart) is adorable, and is an excellent sidekick for Pooh.

Hamilton as Christopher Robin perfectly projects the sensitivity and the innocence of the boy who loves his stuffed bear. Jacob Stacy is a hoot as Eeyore and got the most laughs. Heather Lannen as Owl was cranky and bossy just as we remembered Owl to be. Roo’s big run-away-from-home scene was a hit with the audience. As Roo, Karen Stewart’s timing was superb.

Robin McLaughlin’s costumes are fantastic, a nice blend of fur and clothing. Pooh has his familiar red shirt, Kanga and Roo have cleverly made pouches, and Uncle Rabbit looks just like Uncle Rabbit with his plaid vest and a pocket watch. Whoever did the make-up did a fine job too. The set, designed by Rich Archer, has a few tricks up its sleeve; everything worked splendidly and added another dimension of theatrical magic to the production. Bobbie-Jean Powell’s lighting was simple and effective.

This play is genuinely wholesome without being sticky. If you want your kids to see entertainment that's truly funny, has decent ideals, is completely free of potty jokes, and that will stand up for 6-year-olds yet won't scare 3-year-olds, it doesn't get much better than this.

Winnie the Pooh is at Harwich Junior Theatre through July 16. For tickets, call 508-432-2002, ext. 4., or go to www.CapeTix.com.